# Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Shadow Workers: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[Core Security Cobalt Strike](https://cybersectools.com/tools/core-security-cobalt-strike) is a commercial [red-team & adversary emulation](https://cybersectools.com/categories/offensive-security) solution by [Core Security](https://cybersectools.com/companies/core-security). [Shadow Workers](https://cybersectools.com/tools/shadow-workers) is a free [red-team & adversary emulation](https://cybersectools.com/categories/offensive-security) solution. Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.

## Side-by-side comparison

| | Core Security Cobalt Strike | Shadow Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Commercial | Free |
| Category | Red-Team & Adversary Emulation | Red-Team & Adversary Emulation |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | On-Premises | On-Premises |
| Company size fit | Mid-Market, Enterprise | Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| GitHub stars | – | 236 |
| Last commit | – | Oct 2023 |
| Company | Core Security | – |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Core Security Cobalt Strike | Shadow Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Red Team | Yes | – |
| Post Exploitation | Yes | – |
| C2 | Yes | Yes |
| Evasion | Yes | – |
| Proxy | – | Yes |
| Open Source | – | Yes |
| XSS | – | Yes |

### Core features

**Core Security Cobalt Strike**

6 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**Shadow Workers**

No features listed.

### Integrations

**Core Security Cobalt Strike**

2 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**Shadow Workers**

No integrations listed.

## Which one fits you

Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source.

- [Shadow Workers](https://cybersectools.com/tools/shadow-workers) fits if you need a free product and you want an open-source product.

## Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Shadow Workers FAQ

Common questions when comparing Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Shadow Workers for red-team & adversary emulation.

### What is the difference between Core Security Cobalt Strike and Shadow Workers?

**Core Security Cobalt Strike**: Post-exploitation threat emulation platform for red team operations. Built by Core Security.

**Shadow Workers**: Shadow Workers is an open source C2 framework and proxy tool for penetration testers to exploit XSS vulnerabilities and malicious Service Workers.

The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.

### Who makes Core Security Cobalt Strike and Shadow Workers?

**Core Security Cobalt Strike** is made by Core Security. **Shadow Workers** is open-source with 236 GitHub stars. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.

### Is Core Security Cobalt Strike a good alternative to Shadow Workers?

Often, yes. Core Security Cobalt Strike and Shadow Workers are both Red-Team & Adversary Emulation products, and both cover C2. Key differences: Core Security Cobalt Strike is Commercial while Shadow Workers is Free, Shadow Workers is open-source. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Core Security Outflank Security Tooling](https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-cobalt-strike-vs-core-security-outflank-security-tooling)
- [Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Fortra Cobalt Strike](https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-cobalt-strike-vs-fortra-cobalt-strike)
- [Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Core Security Bundles and Suites](https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-bundles-and-suites-vs-core-security-cobalt-strike)
- [Shadow Workers vs Core Security Outflank Security Tooling](https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-outflank-security-tooling-vs-shadow-workers)
- [Shadow Workers vs Fortra Cobalt Strike](https://cybersectools.com/compare/fortra-cobalt-strike-vs-shadow-workers)
- [Shadow Workers vs Core Security Bundles and Suites](https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-bundles-and-suites-vs-shadow-workers)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all Core Security Cobalt Strike alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/core-security-cobalt-strike)
- [See all Shadow Workers alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/shadow-workers)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-cobalt-strike-vs-shadow-workers

For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/core-security-cobalt-strike.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md.

More on Core Security Cobalt Strike and Shadow Workers: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md